New National Carnival Commission Chairman.......maybe

Former tourism minister Howard Chin Lee is tipped to be the new National Carnival Commission (NCC) chairman.

Sources said yesterday the Pier 1 director was given the nod during last Thursday's Cabinet meeting.

In a telephone interview yesterday, however, Chin Lee, who is also the managing director of Synergy TV, neither confirmed nor denied the report.

The Express understands that Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs Marlene McDonald will officially name the new NCC board some time this week.

The Express contacted the various Carnival organisations for feedback on Chin Lee's proposed appointment and got positive feedback to the move.

National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA) president Owen Hinds said: "He seems to be a very straight forward person and I am of the opinion that he would bring some value to the NCC, especially with his experience in the private sector and Government."

Mahindra Satram-Maharaj, chairman of the National Carnival Development Foundation (NCDF), which is part of the NCC board but has over 100 members, said: "In principle we would have no objections because we are prepared to work with anyone who has the interest of Carnival as long as they are ready to work with us."

President of Pan Trinbago, Patrick Arnold, added: "I have no problem with Chin Lee. Pan Trinbago dealt with him when he was the Minister of Tourism and we had a good relationship. I believe he is quite competent."

Outgoing president of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) Michael Leggerton noted: "I have no problems with Howard Chin Lee. If they have chosen him to be the new chairman then they would have known that there is something he has to bring to the table."